Champions League: Suarez humiliates Luiz as Barca enjoy springtime stroll in Paris
PARIS-SAINT GERMAIN 1 BARCELONA 3
CONTROVERSIAL striker Luis Suarez twice nutmegged Paris Saint-Germain defender David Luiz on his way to scoring goals that thrust Barcelona towards the Champions League semi-finals last night.
Former Liverpool star Suarez’s brilliant brace and a slick earlier effort from Brazil forward Neymar gave Barca a commanding lead to take into next week’s second leg in Spain. PSG, missing talisman Zlatan Ibrahimovic and midfielder Marco Verratti, replied late on through full-back Gregory van der Wiel’s deflected shot, but face a huge task to qualify for the last four.
Suarez’s first, in the 67th minute, came when he cut in from the right, slipping the ball between former Chelsea defender Luiz’s legs and showing quick feet to beat two more challenges before beating Salvatore Sirigu. His second, nine minutes later, was perhaps even better, the Uruguayan following up a poked Luiz nutmeg by curling unerringly past Sirigu into the top right corner.
“It’s an important win for us,” said Barca coach Luis Enrique. “We were attentive, had possession and were good in defence. We need to look to win the return match and avoid surprises.”
Suarez added: “We knew we had to win. There are 90 minutes still to go and nothing is sorted, but we have a good advantage.”